Down 7-2 through four and a half innings, the Tigers used the long ball to claw their way back into the game. Kevin Czarnecki hit a solo home run in the fifth to make it 7-3, then the Tigers exploded for seven runs in the sixth to take a 10-7 lead. FHSU used four consecutive singles to start the sixth, capped by an RBI by Nick Hammeke, to make it 7-4. A passed ball with the bases loaded brought in the next run, but then Cooper Langley unloaded on a pitch with a line drive over the left field wall to put the Tigers in front 8-7. Three batters later, Vieyra hit a two-run home run to right field to push the Tiger lead to three, capping the big offensive inning.
The RiverHawks countered with a run in the seventh to make it 10-8, then capitalized on two Tiger errors in the eighth to tie the game 10-10.
Austin Unrein settled in on the mound to keep NSU hitless in the ninth and 10th, which earned him the win in the game. Czarnecki led off the 10th with a double, then moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by Alex King. That set up the walk-off single by Vieyra.
Unrein moved to 2-2 on the season, pitching the final 3.0 innings. He only allowed one hit and a walk, while striking out two. His only run allowed was unearned in the eighth inning.
The Tigers used three pitchers before getting to Unrein. Gabe Cook started the game and allowed five runs over 3.2 innings of work. Steven Federau pitched 2.1 innings and struck out four. Kyle Vogt allowed two runs (one earned) in 1.0 innings of work. Unrein took over for Vogt after two batters in the eighth.
Vieyra and Langley each finished the game with three RBI. Caleb Cherryholmes, Hammeke, Czarnecki, and King all had one RBI.
NSU also used four pitchers in the game. Starter Kyle Shambaugh went 5.0 innings and gave up three runs, but struck out five. Zack Hammock was roughed up for seven runs in only 0.2 innings of work. Hayden Walch pitched 3.1 innings and struck out six. NSU closer Jake Kern took the loss in just 0.1 innings as he took the mound at the start of the 10th.
FHSU and NSU play a doubleheader on Saturday at Larks Park, starting at 1 p.m.